26. Mr. LEEasked the Secretary for Mines how many collieries were closed down between December, 1924, and June, 1929; and how many have been closed since the quota arrangements of the Coal Mines Act, 1930, became operative?
§ Mr. SHINWELLBetween December, 1924 and June, 1929, 1,148 pits in Great Britain, normally employing 93,600 wage-earners, have closed and not reopened. During the period 1st January, 1931 to date 71 pits employing 9,400 wage-earners were closed. It is too early to say which, if any, of these pits will remain permanently closed. That there has not been any material change in the rate of closing of pits since the quota system came into operation is seen from the fact that in the nine months ended 31st October, 1930, 316 pits employing 48,000 persons were closed and not re-opened.